Would you take an immunocompromised 4 year old to Japan?

[Disneyland1084]

Next June, my two girls will be graduating. One high school, one middle school. As a graduation gift, my husband wants to take them to Japan. They all really want to go. This trip will be a month before my DS turns 5. He has a weakened immune system due to an autoimmune disease he has. One of the recommended vaccines for travel to Japan is the MMR. He can't take that, or any other live vaccines because it could potentially kill him. He also takes multiple medications, and to be on the safe side I'd probably have to get a certificate from the Japanese consulate for permission to bring those in the country. If you were in my situation (if so, I'd like to hear your story) would you stay back while the others go? They promised they won't go to Tokyo DL without me. For the record, DL doesn't appeal to my girls like it did when they were little, my DH could care less either way. That was really the only reason I wanted to go. With how well my DS is doing, there's a good chance in a few years he'll be taking less medication, and could go a few weeks without it. I'm thinking ( and assuming DS has all required vaccines by then) why not wait until then to go to Tokyo DL? I also have a deal with DH and the girls that even if they hate Japan, they'd go again in a few years for Tokyo DL.

 

[Disneylover99]

No. I wouldn’t. I’d wait.

 

[barkley]

no i would not but i will concede that i am the overly cautious type b/c i've also lost 2 youngish adult friends over the years to something as 'minor' as strep throat (both had minor underlying health issues). i just would'nt chance it-and i would'nt want to deal with getting meds if needed outside the country-dealt with it one time outside our home state and it was a nightmare.

 

[dcassetta]

What does your child’s physician say about a trip to a foreign country with such a long flight involved?

 

[scrappinginontario]

What does your doctor say? That’s who I’d be asking.

 

[Travel60]

My gut says no way. But ask his doctor not random people on a board.

 

[easyas123]

I agree with others, it's not our opinion that counts. Seems that you should be seeking medical opinion.

With that being said...if my young son could not go - I'd stay home with him and see my husband and other kids off on their trip with well wishes and no strings attached.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Drs will probably not discourage you not to do something, even if it is a bad idea it is a quality of life issue. The fact you are asking tells me your gut is saying to be cautious. I would say trust your gut, always.

My 2 cents, I have a compromised system and I have random issues even being completely able to care for myself so if I had a baby me it would not be a thing I would do. At this point, I wouldn't want to be too far away from my Drs with Covid still going around unmastered, I had it and got much sicker than everyone else in the house - like really really sick. The most difficult thing to learn to manage in general is getting help before an infection (ear, throat) gets out of control and that is very tough because things turn in a blink. A little toddler can't participate in their well being and help mom get ahead of things with early warnings yet. Your child Dr's won't be able to intervene in any way in another country so you could be stuck trying to desperately make your case in a random ER situation where the Dr in front of you could completely ignore you, I have had it happen. Personally, I would wait until your little one could help you help them.

 

[Disneyland1084]

What does your doctor say? That’s who I’d be asking.

What does your doctor say? That’s who I’d be asking.

What does your child’s physician say about a trip to a foreign country with such a long flight involved?

I didn't talk to his doctor about this, but certainly would have if I was going.

 

[WeDontTalkAboutBruno]

Nurse here and I personally would be too nervous to go. Probably everything would be fine, but the small possibility of having a medical issue in a foreign country where i don’t speak the language would give me anxiety. Is the family dead set on Japan? If not, I would suggest a different vacation option that the whole family can attend.

 

[Disneyland1084]

My gut says no way. But ask his doctor not random people on a board.

Of course I would have if I was actually going, lol. This trip has been in the planning stages for about a year, and I only found out recently DS can't take live vaccines. It's always fun to ask opinions on Dis board.

 

[sam_gordon]

Of course I would have if I was actually going, lol. This trip has been in the planning stages for about a year, and I only found out recently DS can't take live vaccines. It's always fun to ask opinions on Dis board.

Wait, I thought if DS went, that you would go, that his health issues would prevent you from going. If you're staying home regardless, yes, keep him home and wish the others well.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

Would you take him to DL in the US with his condition?

If your main concern is him not having the MMR shot, Japan probably has much higher compliance with childhood vaccines than we do here. If you are exposed to people in the US on a regular basis and take vacations here in the US, I don't think it would worry me to be in Japan.

But, if you already limit his exposure to people here, I definitely wouldn't want to travel anywhere (either in the country or out).

For his medication, as long as it isn't expressly prohibited in Japan, you should be fine just bringing them in the original prescription containers.

But, as others said, I would be asking his medical team and that's what would really count for my decision.

 

[robinb]

My gut says it's OK. The people of Japan are much more aware of viruses and practice proper masking when they are sick. It has been a way of life for them well before Covid hit. I feel that your chances of him getting sick in Japan is less than at his school where viruses ran rampant again. I would go ahead as long as his doctors say it's OK.

 

[anniemae]

I would probably have a talk with his pediatrician/medical team and then decide. If I decided to go, I would take lots of precautions like have him wear a mask, wash hands a lot, get all recommended vaccines he can safely get.

Also depends on time of year. I would not go if it were winter time where colds and viruses are are more prominent. I would only go if it was important to me to go as a family. Otherwise, like others have said, stay home and enjoy the time with him.

 

[TippyThomas]

No, I wouldn't.

 

[Mle8308]

I didn't talk to his doctor about this, but certainly would have if I was going.

I’m confused. Why would it matter if you were or were not going? You asked about your son, who you said is immunocompromised. If you are considering allowing him to go to Japan and have some concerns, his doctor should be the one you ask, not Disboarders, even if for kicks.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

Nope. Wouldn’t want to expose my child to anything and certainly wouldn’t want the possibility of navigating ER medicine in a foreign country.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

And I would definitely check with his physician before skipping his medication for a couple weeks too.

 

[VandVsmama]

You need to stay home and not go on the trip.